“These Bros Ain’t Loyal”: Why You Shouldn’t Chase Elite Status in 2026
Thu Feb 05 2026
People with status are often very loud about it (we’re looking at you Delta Medallions and Hyatt Globalists), but chasing airline and hotel loyalty isn’t smart for most travelers. It’s something we’re decidedly out on in 2026 and beyond. In “These Bros Ain’t Loyal”, we’re laying out the case against chasing status by identifying who status is for, and why it’s not the best way to travel more for less.
Watch us on YouTube!
00:00 - What should we call this episode?
01:55 - John Melson introduces the show
03:00 - The best airline & hotel statuses
07:15 - The worst airline & hotel statuses
11:25 - Thrifty Traveler Premium Flight Deal Quiz!
13:44 - Why we’re out on travel loyalty
22:30 - Who is loyalty for?
26:15 - Who is travel “free agency” for?
28:45 - How to get status perks without status
37:45 - Listener Question: What about credit card points loyalty?
41:30 - On the Spot: Gunnar’s 2027 list
Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot
Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts!
Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com
Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more!
See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile!
Follow us on…InstagramYouTubeFacebookBluesky
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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People with status are often very loud about it (we’re looking at you Delta Medallions and Hyatt Globalists), but chasing airline and hotel loyalty isn’t smart for most travelers. It’s something we’re decidedly out on in 2026 and beyond. In “These Bros Ain’t Loyal”, we’re laying out the case against chasing status by identifying who status is for, and why it’s not the best way to travel more for less. Watch us on YouTube! 00:00 - What should we call this episode? 01:55 - John Melson introduces the show 03:00 - The best airline & hotel statuses 07:15 - The worst airline & hotel statuses 11:25 - Thrifty Traveler Premium Flight Deal Quiz! 13:44 - Why we’re out on travel loyalty 22:30 - Who is loyalty for? 26:15 - Who is travel “free agency” for? 28:45 - How to get status perks without status 37:45 - Listener Question: What about credit card points loyalty? 41:30 - On the Spot: Gunnar’s 2027 list Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas Video editing by Kyle Thomas Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot Support the show by leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts! Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at podcast@thriftytraveler.com Get 20% off your first year of cheap flights and points and miles deals with Thrifty Traveler Premium - use promo code TTPOD to save even more! See what we’re all about at https://thriftytraveler.com - or subscribe to our free weekly points and miles newsletter, The Extra Mile! Follow us on…InstagramYouTubeFacebookBluesky Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.